In a dangerous move by the South African government, the 1995 ban on culling elephants has been reversed to combat the growing population in the region. Upon the news of the reversal, animal rights activists immediately went to battle – Johannesburg-based Animal Rights Africa in particular threatened the tourist-friendly nation with international boycotts and legal action.

South Africa stopped killing elephants in 1995 after an international outcry from animal rights groups and environmental advocates worldwide. As a result, the elephant population has grown from 8,000 to 20,000 in the past 13 years. These large animals require hundreds of pounds of vegetation daily to survive, leading them to roam vast areas of land in search of sustenance. Compounded by the unwavering increase in human populations, the two often come in conflict over land. Thus, culling has made its way back into the environmental debate.

Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said:

Culling will only be allowed as a last option and under very strict conditions. Our simple reality is that elephant population density has risen so much in some southern African countries that there is concern about impacts on the landscape, the viability of other species and the livelihoods and safety of people living within elephant ranges. – CNN

Those "very strict conditions," which will be effective May 1, constitute a rifle with a minimum caliber of .375. Clearly, the definition of humane is a subjective one, but it's not to be assumed that all conservationists are against the ban reversal. In fact, some believe their conservation efforts have been too successful. Overgrazing by elephants can degrade the environment, damage farms and local villages, and diminish food and water resources for other wildlife as well as the elephants themselves.

The conservation organization WWF South Africa and the country's Elephant Management and Owners Association (EMOA), both in favor of culling, issued a joint statement:

WWF recognizes that local over-population of elephants is a significant challenge for many southern African states. We acknowledge the difficulties faced by South Africa in managing its expanding elephant population and that, after years of effective conservation work, the government is now facing tremendously difficult and soul-searching decisions. We applaud the South African government's extensive consultative process and its attempt to take on board all points of view before making a final decision on how to tackle the problem. WWF encourages all governments to use culling only as a last resort when all non-lethal options have been investigated and there is conclusive evidence that a non-lethal approach would not be as effective in managing elephant populations. Dr Rob Little, Acting Chief Executive of WWF South Africa, says that, "although WWF does not advocate culling as the preferred management alternative, we recognize that it is a management option and reiterate our view that all other options should first be explored". – Panda.org.za

The real question is: Where do we draw the line? The reversal of the killing ban takes us down a slippery slope. Human populations are growing rapidly and will continue to do so year after year, so when do governments say when? Will the notion of an acceptable animal population continue to evolve until zoos seem like the best, or worse yet, only option?

It seems like a no win situation for all parties – people, animals and the environment all stand to lose. At least one good thing has come from the ban reversal – the South African government is prohibiting the capture of wild elephants for commercial purposes. So while the elephants aren't guaranteed survival, they won't have to endure the human abuse of elephant-back tourist safaris or circuses.